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Anionic polymerization of styrene: Integration with styrene monomer production
Author(s) -
Priddy Duane B.,
Pirc Michael
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1989.070370419
Subject(s) - ethylbenzene , styrene , polymerization , polystyrene , dispersity , anionic addition polymerization , polymer chemistry , dehydrogenation , materials science , bulk polymerization , monomer , chemistry , chemical engineering , polymer , radical polymerization , organic chemistry , copolymer , catalysis , engineering
Anionic polymerization and ethylbenzene dehydrogenation were carried out in the laboratory using continuous reactor designs and conditions typical of current commerical processes. The dehydrogenator was operated at 43–55% conversion with continuous distillation of the ethylbenzene/styrene mixture to remove byproducts that would interfere with the subsequent anionic polymerization. The anionic polymerization was carried out using a reactor of the CSTR type which operated at > 99% conversion of styrene. The volatiles were recovered from the polymer syrup and recycled back to the dehydrogenator. During 4 months of continuous operation the integrated process showed no detrimental buildup of impurities which affected the anionic polymerization or dehydrogenation. The polystyrene produced had excellent color, clarity, thermal stability, and polydispersity ( M w / M n = 2.1–2.4). The ability to control weight average molecular weight was within a range of 20,000 using an on‐line GPC in concert with a colorimeter.